Supreme Court to hear Sisodia’s bail plea in Delhi liquor policy case

Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a bail petition filed by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with money laundering and corruption charges related to the excise policy scam. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader is currently in judicial custody for both cases.

According to the case list on the Supreme Court website, a vacation bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta will review Sisodia’s case.

Sisodia approached the Supreme Court following the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of his bail petition on May 21. The High Court cited serious allegations of power misuse and public trust breach as reasons for denial.

Sisodia was arrested in February last year

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sisodia on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in the liquor scam. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained him on March 9, 2023, in the related money laundering case. Sisodia resigned from his position in the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.

The High Court, in its ruling against granting bail, noted that Sisodia allegedly destroyed crucial evidence, including electronic data. It stated that the investigation revealed Sisodia manipulated the policy-making process by fabricating public feedback to align with his predetermined objectives.

Additionally, the High Court observed that Sisodia failed to meet the triple test for bail in the CBI case, as he did not produce two phones reportedly used by him. The court emphasized the potential risk of evidence tampering if Sisodia were released.

Previously, Sisodia’s bail applications were rejected by the trial court on April 30. After hearing arguments from Sisodia’s legal team, the CBI, and the ED, the High Court reserved its decision on May 14, ultimately leading to the May 21 dismissal.